User Reviews

"Old Faithful", the awestruck James A. Fitzpatrick tells his audience, "which has erupted at average intervals of precisely 65 minutes as long as it has been known to man." Well, which is it? Precisely or average? The woman photographed by Winton Hoch getting a little too close to the geyser for my comfort. Meanwhile what sounds like a Wagnerian soprano sings "Yellowstone," if that's your idea of a good time.

Well, it's nice to get a look at the first U.S. National Park without leaving the comfort of my home. The copy that shows up on Turner Classic Movies is in pretty good shape.

This TravelTalk documentary narrated by James A. FitzPatrick begins with an opening shot of the vast panorama of Yellowstone Park, its brilliant colors shining in the sun, accompanied by a rather pedestrian song sung by a chorus titled, of course, "Yellowstone".

The park which opened in 1972 is seen as a sanctuary for wild animals amid warnings not to feed the grizzly bears that roam around the terrain. Even though fed by the park attendants, the bears look uncomfortable around humans as they keep a watch out for danger even while eating their food.

Most of the documentary focuses on the geysers of steam and hot water that shoot high into the sky, including "Old Faithful" which is said to reach a height of 120 feet.

The interesting shapes and formations of rock, all vividly colored, is an impressive sight. After a tour of several geyser regions, the film ends with another chorus of "Yellowstone" while the sun sets.

Of average interest to any viewer.

Yellowstone Park: Nature's Playground (1936)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Yellowstone Park is the subject of this TravelTalks short that starts off talking about the original expedition and how the government made it a national park in 1872. From here we learn about the protection of wild animals, which includes the grizzly bears who get a nice little showcase here. We see them playing around and getting fed, which is where FitzPatrick tells a pretty funny joke about why you shouldn't try feeding them. From here it's all about the natural wonders including Old Faithful and the various geysers and other hot water streams. Overall this is another pleasant entry in the series that contains several very good moments. Getting to see the eruption of Old Faithful I'm sure pleased people back in 1936 and the stuff dealing with the bears is quite nice. Of course, all of this is brought to life by the beautiful Technicolor, the star of the picture.

This TravelTalks episode starts with a song, 'Yellowstone' sung by Veronica Wiggins. I do not like the old timey song being sung in an old timey way. I do not like these songs. After some river scenery, we watch some grizzly bears. Don't feed the bears! Then there are the geysers including Old Faithful.

This is showing off Technicolor with these strangely colored natural places. That's my main takeaway. One could go to Yellowstone now and see most of this. The difference is the marriage of technology and nature. Even a rainbow is important in that sense. Also... Bears! It's always great to see bears.